Computer games, comics, fiction novels, apparently harmless cards, metal disks found in various food products … and many other such "toys" have become the "in-thing" with most children and teenagers. Yet, are they really as harmless as they seem? And do they have no effect on the impressionable minds of young children? Many parents have experienced that a great number of these forms of "entertainment" have a dramatic negative impact on young minds. If one looks carefully at these toys, with the spectacles of Imaan and through the eyes of the Qur'an and Sunnah, the danger will be glaring.

SHIRK IN GAMES

Among the thousands of titles of computer games, subtle messages of immoral behaviour and even shirk (idol worship) can be discerned. The "characters" in one game can be controlled to interact with other characters in various ways. Some of these ways are clearly what amounts to illicit contact in terms of Shariah. Imagine the effect on children who continuously control the characters to behave in an illicit manner? Another game takes the player through various stages wherein he conquers the enemies. As he progresses to higher levels, he eventually comes to the "Grand Temple" and his prize is to come into the court of the "Grand Master," etc. In the process of these "games" many subtle messages settle in the mind and heart. Allah forbid, they could become the stepping-stone to acting in a like manner in real life.

METAL DISKS AND CARDS

The metal disks and cards in packets of chips, boxes of cereals and other products are also a cause for great concern. Apart from the eerie faces and horrid pictures on the cards, they largely centre around magic, wizards and fairies. The "powers" of one card character is listed as "omnipotent." Omnipotence is an attribute of Allah Ta'ala alone. The aspect of shirk in this is obvious.

Fiction novels are another major factor in the breakdown of Islamic morals and respect in the youth. Many fiction books that are very popular among school-going boys and girls are books that encourage "dating" and in general the illicit boy-girl relationships that are a standard feature in Western society. A Muslim teenage girl came to a local dressmaker and asked for her garment to be sewed in exactly the same immoral style as the character of a popular novel series that she was reading! Many comic books also centre around illicit boy-girl relationships. Children reading these "comics" for entertainment are affected by the behaviour of the characters. The negative effects are bound to fall in their impressionable minds.

Parents can never afford to be complacent with regard to what their children play with. The damage to their character and Imaan can be disastrous. We cannot allow anyone to play with the Imaan and character of our children!!!